Trip down Brick Lane (16 May 1999)

16 May 1999

Trip down Brick Lane

Dr Nizamuddin Ahmed in London

From the outside Brick Lane in East London does not look any more agog than Friday's Lord's. Quiet and muted, devoid of any bunting or banner, just as any other shopping street on a Saturday forenoon. But, inside, Bangladeshis are bubbling with excitement over the cricket World Cup, more so in anticipation of what Aminul Islam and his boys may do come Monday when Bangladesh take on New Zealand at nearby Chelmsford in Essex.

Known as Banglatown, the area is predominantly a settlement of people from Sylhet.

"Most of us here are from Sunamganj and Sylhet," Hira Miah, manning a counter at the Brick Lane Music House, was more specific. With shops named as Mishtidesh, Cafe Bangla, Nazrul Restaurant and Eastern Eye, the place does give an aura of Bangladesh. Shop windows display posters of Bangladeshi and Indian film videos, audiocassettes, newspapers and magazines.

Disappointed on not seeing a copy of The Daily Star amidst an array of Bangla and English dailies from back home, Rezwan Ahmed of Sangeeta UK Limited, a house of Bangladeshi goods, explained they were sold out.

Faruk Uddin looked as conservative as any Englishman on the street as he gave his restaurant window a wipe and shine. Once inside 'The Spice', home of Bangladeshi cuisine, the man in his late twenties bared his soul.

Replying to a question Faruk Uddin, president of Bangladesh Workers Union UK, said that there was "tremendous enthusiasm and excitement here about Bangladesh being in the World Cup".

He could not hold his thrill as he explained how lucky he was to get a ticket to the Northampton match against Pakistan on May 31.

"I failed to get one for the Chelmsford match. Thousands were disappointed on not getting the tickets for the match in nearby Essex," Faruk Uddin lamented.

The ticket that he bought about four months ago cost him sixteen pounds sterling and he was travelling to Northampton with thirty other friends and relatives, including whole families.

He seemed a seasoned supporter. "If we do not support the Bangladesh cricketers, they will not be encouraged. And, that is our work. We are proud because this is our first time (in the World Cup). We do not expect too much. If we win one or two games, that will be enough. It will help us to do better in the future," said Faruk Uddin in one breath.

Rezwan Ahmed of Sangeeta was luckier. He got tickets to both Chelmsford and Northampton. He and his friends, 25 of them, have booked a coach to travel to the Bangladesh matches. "The children are also interested but they have school," seemed his way of justifying an all-adult troupe.

He was humming along to a rural Bangla song that was playing on the speakers. Interrupting his crooning skills, he explained: "There is a lot of enthusiasm and support for the Bangladesh cricket team in England because we are in the World Cup. All we want is that they should brighten our face."

His shop, barely fifty yards away from the recent Brick Lane car bomb attack that injured several, has been selling T-shirts and caps with Bangladesh cricket logo.

"We are sold out", Rezwan Ahmed said, pointing to the lone Bangladesh flag hanging at the entry to the shop.

"We receive many phone calls from Bangladeshis inquiring about cricket match tickets. But, no one is selling. Anyone who has bought a ticket is going to the World Cup," he said.

Such is his devotion to the Bangladesh team that he was not travelling to either Chelmsford or Northampton to lose. Call it ignorance or one hundred per cent nationalism, Rezwan Ahmed expects Bangladesh to defeat both New Zealand and Pakistan. About Scotland he does not even doubt for a second.

"We shall all be praying," he said but thoughtfully.

Hira Miah was realistic about his choice of tickets. He will be travelling in a car to distant Edinburgh with his two other friends, Tofazzal and Shoeb.

"We are very proud as this is our first time. There is big support for the Bangladesh team from our community here. Support is fifty percent of a game," he clarified.

"We are going to take food and drinks, flags, T-shirts and caps... we will be fully loaded for the game," Hira Mia was excited as he said those words.

Why this particular match, then? "Because we know we gonna beat Scotland," was his obvious reply.

Hira Miah and his friends may see some other matches "if we do well". He was optimistic enough to say, "... maybe also in the next round".

There is no doubt there will be full-throated support for Aminul Islam and his boys at all the matches Bangladesh play. Cricket has rekindled a feeling of patriotism. All they have to do now is play to win.

Banglatown celebrated Baishahki, the Bengali New Year 1406, with much pomp and gaiety last week. Coming up from 7-25 July is the Bangladesh Festival, of which prime ministers Sheikh Hasina and Tony Blair are patrons-in-chief.

Events are earmarked at famous arts centres such as the Barbican Centre and the Queen Elizabeth Hall on the South Bank, and the Brick Lane. It could be a different kind of celebration if Bangladesh lives even partially up to the expectations of the Bangalee here.

How would he like it if he were to give his post-match reaction after every Bangladesh match? "Don't call me if we lose," was Hira Miah's parting remark.

Source :: The Daily Star